Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg’s radio phone-in debut got off to a bumpy start when he was confronted by a disgruntled Liberal Democrat supporter live on air.

The Lib Dem leader kicked-off his new show on London’s LBC 97.3 station this morning, fielding calls from members of the public in the first of a weekly ‘Call Clegg’ segment.

Co-presenter Nick Ferrari said Mr Clegg was making ‘radio history’ by signing up for the show in which he faced questions over the coalition government’s decision to raise tuition fees and the axing of child benefits for high earners.

One caller, John from Woking, was not shy in letting Mr Clegg know his feelings on how his party had performed in the first half of the government’s term in office.

‘I’m a Liberal Democrat who’s just torn up his membership card,’ he said.

‘I joined in 1973 and I’m afraid I can’t now say I want to represent the Liberal Democrats. I’m an ex-county councillor in Surrey and I am ashamed of what the party’s doing.’

He also challenged Mr Clegg to explain how he could support a government with ‘attacks on the poorest in society’.

Mr Clegg, who agreed to the 30-minute weekly slot to hear more from voters directly, defended the party’s actions.

‘I am immensely proud that, facing the biggest crisis this country has seen in a generation the Liberal Democrats took a big, collective and brave decision – at some political cost – to say we are going to step up to the plate … and fix this mess while also trying to make society fairer,’ he said.

Another caller accused the government of discouraging young people from gaining qualifications by bumping up tuition fees.

Discussing a wide-range of topics, the politician also said US president Barack Obama was right to voice his concerns over Britain’s stance on the EU.

Nick Clegg poses with his onesie (Picture: Twitter / @hmatthews92)

The discussion took a more light-hearted twist later with one caller asking him if he had ever worn a onesie.

‘I was actually given a big green onesie in Sheffield, which I have kept in its packaging, but I haven’t worn it yet,’ he responded.

Asked if he would ever don the comfy outfit in public, he replied: ‘It’s almost certainly something I would do in the privacy of my own home.’